Fix me: frustrated driver paints round potholes

A NUMBER of potholes, circled with the words “fix me” daubed next to them in white paint, have appeared in Swanage.

The mystery painter, who could be prosecuted if caught 'white-handed', has struck in Shore Road and other parts of town within the past seven days.

Meanwhile, Swanage Mayor Bill Trite, who says he cannot condone the action, told the Echo: “I do, however, fully understand the irritation and frustration behind them because I'm also frustrated and irritated by the state of Swanage's roads.”

County authorities are aware of the unofficial road markings, which will be attended to along with the offending potholes by the end of the week, they say Mr Trite said: “For many months we've been trying to get action from the county council in respect of road repairs in and around Swanage.”

He says the general condition of Swanage's roads are the worst he's ever known anywhere.

“The roads have never been that good, but with all the rain we've had, bits have washed away. Let's hope the powers-that-be-get the message.”

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: “It is a bit cheeky. It may just be someone having a bit of fun. Some of these can do real damage to your suspension though. They are a pain.”

Dorset County Council warns anyone marking the road in this way could find themselves before a court of law.

County routine maintenance manager Martin Hill said: “We have found several potholes in Swanage that have been marked in this way. It is illegal and anyone caught doing it could be prosecuted.

“We haven't received any enquiries about these potholes. Our local inspection team had already indentified the potholes before the markings were made and they would have been added to the work schedule for the next week.

“It's important to note that the roads in Swanage are in no worse state than the rest of the country or country.”

The Daily Echo is working on a story about potholes across Dorset. If you know of any particularly dangerous ones, please email digital@bournemouthecho.co.uk

Comments (13)

Sounds about right. They'd rather spend more money on taking someone to court for 'vandalising' the road in this way than fix the holes! And as for suggesting the roads around Swanage (or Bournemouth) are no worse than anywhere else, well, that's just rubbish! They're absolutely dreadful in comparison to neighbouring areas!

Sounds about right. They'd rather spend more money on taking someone to court for 'vandalising' the road in this way than fix the holes! And as for suggesting the roads around Swanage (or Bournemouth) are no worse than anywhere else, well, that's just rubbish! They're absolutely dreadful in comparison to neighbouring areas!speedy231278

I have felt like doing that myself! However, the website fixmystreet.co.uk allows you to report potholes and other problems and they are sent to the council in question. On the whole they are quite quick at sorting things out (Bournemouth Council anyway).

I have felt like doing that myself! However, the website fixmystreet.co.uk allows you to report potholes and other problems and they are sent to the council in question. On the whole they are quite quick at sorting things out (Bournemouth Council anyway).Bob Bournemouth

I can't believe the Council are threatening Court over someone helping them to identify and fix crummy roads, they should be greatful. Bunch of no good over paid a holes. I have the same problem in W Berks, council is just a bunch over overpaid a holes. Whoever it is deserves a medal! and a hot cup a tea.........

I can't believe the Council are threatening Court over someone helping them to identify and fix crummy roads, they should be greatful. Bunch of no good over paid a holes. I have the same problem in W Berks, council is just a bunch over overpaid a holes. Whoever it is deserves a medal! and a hot cup a tea.........rice-crispy

“We haven't received any enquiries about these potholes. Our local inspection team had already indentified the potholes before the markings were made and they would have been added to the work schedule for the next week.

Then weekly publish the potholes you have identified so the residents of Swanage can see if any have not been identified. This will encourage residents to report them.......or don't you want that?

“We haven't received any enquiries about these potholes. Our local inspection team had already indentified the potholes before the markings were made and they would have been added to the work schedule for the next week.
Then weekly publish the potholes you have identified so the residents of Swanage can see if any have not been identified. This will encourage residents to report them.......or don't you want that?BIGTONE

BIGTONE wrote:
“We haven't received any enquiries about these potholes. Our local inspection team had already indentified the potholes before the markings were made and they would have been added to the work schedule for the next week.

Then weekly publish the potholes you have identified so the residents of Swanage can see if any have not been identified. This will encourage residents to report them.......or don't you want that?

So why not paint a white line around them to warn drivers once they have been identified. UK drivers pay out over £1 billion a year on repairs to their vehicles because of damage caused by potholes.

[quote][p][bold]BIGTONE[/bold] wrote:
“We haven't received any enquiries about these potholes. Our local inspection team had already indentified the potholes before the markings were made and they would have been added to the work schedule for the next week.
Then weekly publish the potholes you have identified so the residents of Swanage can see if any have not been identified. This will encourage residents to report them.......or don't you want that?[/p][/quote]So why not paint a white line around them to warn drivers once they have been identified. UK drivers pay out over £1 billion a year on repairs to their vehicles because of damage caused by potholes.rayc

BIGTONE wrote:
“We haven't received any enquiries about these potholes. Our local inspection team had already indentified the potholes before the markings were made and they would have been added to the work schedule for the next week.

Then weekly publish the potholes you have identified so the residents of Swanage can see if any have not been identified. This will encourage residents to report them.......or don't you want that?

So why not paint a white line around them to warn drivers once they have been identified. UK drivers pay out over £1 billion a year on repairs to their vehicles because of damage caused by potholes.

The muppets from the Clown Halls that have 12months left to retire,do paint around them just to make residents think they are being sorted because they have been identified then they are left and forgotten about.
If they publish the identified potholes we can all see if they are bull5hitting.

[quote][p][bold]rayc[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]BIGTONE[/bold] wrote:
“We haven't received any enquiries about these potholes. Our local inspection team had already indentified the potholes before the markings were made and they would have been added to the work schedule for the next week.
Then weekly publish the potholes you have identified so the residents of Swanage can see if any have not been identified. This will encourage residents to report them.......or don't you want that?[/p][/quote]So why not paint a white line around them to warn drivers once they have been identified. UK drivers pay out over £1 billion a year on repairs to their vehicles because of damage caused by potholes.[/p][/quote]The muppets from the Clown Halls that have 12months left to retire,do paint around them just to make residents think they are being sorted because they have been identified then they are left and forgotten about.
If they publish the identified potholes we can all see if they are bull5hitting.BIGTONE

The local council needs to get together a list of all the roads in Swanage that need fixing. The worst one gets fixed and so on until they're all done.

With over 250,000 visitors to the area who spend their hard earned, is it right to beat them and their cars up before they've even got to Swanage?

I can name just 1 road that has been resurfaced in the last 2 years, it was so nice and smooth I spent 5 minutes going from one end to the other, it was bliss!.

Anyone know of any more?

The local council needs to get together a list of all the roads in Swanage that need fixing. The worst one gets fixed and so on until they're all done.
With over 250,000 visitors to the area who spend their hard earned, is it right to beat them and their cars up before they've even got to Swanage?
I can name just 1 road that has been resurfaced in the last 2 years, it was so nice and smooth I spent 5 minutes going from one end to the other, it was bliss!.
Anyone know of any more?paul.p